Roof structure

ABSTRACT

AN IMPROVED ROOF STRUCTURE HAVING A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL ELONGATED FRAMEWORK MEMBERS INCLUDING GUIDE CHANNELS FOR A MOVABLE ROOF COVERING PANEL WHICH CAN BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE ROOF TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE ROOF. THE MOVABLE AND FIXED ROOF PANELS OVERLAP TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE. THE MOVABLE PANEL IS MOVED AS DESIRED IN THE GUIDE CHANNELS BY OPERATION OF A MOTOR WHICH IS EFFECTIVE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE PANELS WHEN IT IS NOT IN OPERATION

March 2, 1971 H. F. SCHULTZ ETAL 3,566,555

ROOF STRUCTURE Original'Filed Feb. 27, 1968 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOIZS HANS F. SCHULTZ CARL RADTKE March 2, 1971 SCHULTZ ETAL 3,566,555

ROOF STRUCTURE I Original Filed Feb. 27. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'NVENTOQS HANS E SCHULTZ CARL RADTKE Wm, 11/61, gm

TORNEY United States Patent 3,566,555 ROOF STRUCTURE Hans F. Schultz, Park Ridge, and Carl Radtke, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Ickes-Braun Glasshouses, Inc., Chicago,

Continuation of applicafion Ser. No. 709,586, Feb. 27, 1968. This application Aug. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 853,613

Int. Cl. E04b 7/16 US. Cl. 52-64 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 709,586 filed Feb. 27, 1968 and now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to roofs and more particularly, to a roof structure having movable elements so as to permit the opening and closing of the structure.

Increasing use has been made in recent years of glass structures for enclosing swimming pools, solariums or the like. In such applications it is desirable to be able to open the interior of the structure to the external atmosphere by either large or small amounts as may be desired when weather conditions are favorable and still be able to close the structure against the elements in unfavorable weather. A common expedient has been to provide a plurality of vents in the form of roof panels which are pivotally attached at one edge to the roof frame and which pivot upward to open the roof. Vents of this type are not readily accessible from floor level and some means for supporting the panels in the open position must be provided. The panels are of necessity rather small and hence a large number are required for full ventilation. Moreover, they are unsightly when open since the profile of the roof is interrupted by protruding panels.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved roof structure which may be opened to the atmosphere to varying extents and easily maintained at the desired degree of openness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a roof structure which retains its original profile when it is opened.

Further objects of the invention include providing a roof structure which can be adequately closed against the elements and yet opened to the external atmosphere conveniently and simply utilizing remote controls and which utilizes structural elements which are easy to fabricate and assemble into a completed structure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building including a roof structure showing various features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the roof structure taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the roof structure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the portion of the roof taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of another portion of the roof structure taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

IfIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, partly in elevatlon and partly in section showing the mechanism for operating the movable panels.

As shown in FIGS 1 and 2 a building structure 10 generally includes side walls 12, end walls 14 and a roof 16. The illustrated roof includes a roof covering 18 which, as shown, is corrugated fiber glass and a supporting framework 20 of elongated members 22. The elongated members may include a central ridge pole 24 extending from one end of the structure to the other, parallel rafters 26 extending downward and outward from the ridge pole to the side walls and purlins 28 extending horizontally between adjacent rafters, although the invention is applicable to roofs having other forms such as a flat roof or one in which the highest point of the roof is at one side. The roof comprises fixed sections 30 which include fixed roof panels 31 mounted on the rafters and sections 32 which include movable roof panels 33 which may be moved to open and close the roof. As illustrated, the fixed sections 30 are adjacent the side walls and the sections 32 with movable panels are adjacent the ridge pole, but other arrangements are possible. Power and control means 34 are operatively connected to the movable panels for opening and closing the roof to the extent desired and for maintaining the panels in any desired position.

More specifically, as best seen in FIG. 3, which is a view of the lower, fixed section of the roof, each rafter 26 may have a central web 36, a top deck 38 and bottom deck 40 at each end of the web, a crosspiece 42 and two panel support arms 43 below the crosspiece. The rafter web thus has an upper portion 44 between the crosspiece and top deck, a middle portion 45 between the crosspiece and support arms and a lower portion 46 between the arms and the bottom deck. As will be described in detail below guide channels 48 for the movable panels 33 are provided by the upper web portion 44, top deck 38 and crosspiece 42 which form two three sided recesses. The crosspiece 42 is provided with a short flange 50 extending upwardly at each end of the crosspiece which functions as a retaining wall for the movable panels as also will be described.

As illustrated, the two panel support arms 43 extend outward from the web 36 and terminate in upwardly slanting flanges 52. As previously mentioned, the illustrated roof covering '18 is corrugated. The edge of each fixed panel 31 is located in the center portion of an upwardly opening corrugation. Hence, the panel support arms 43 and flanges 54 are so shaped that they match the shape of, and thereby support, the lower surface of the center portion of the upward facing corrugation at the edge of the panel and the lower surface of the side of the same corrugation. Most of the remaining space between the roof panel 30, the arm 52, the middle web portion 45 and the crosspiece 42 is filled with a suitable sealing material 56 such as vulcanized butyl sealing tape which serves both to secure the panel to the rafter and provide a moisture proof seal.

As best seen in FIG. 4 adjacent rafters 26 are interconnected by spaced purlins 28 which are illustrated as having in cross section the shape of a C with two legs 57 and a web 58. The purlin is positioned with its two legs 57 extending toward the side walls 12. The web 58 of the purlins is so sized that the legs fit between and mate with the bottom deck 40 and arms 52 of an associated rafter and abut the lower web portion 46 of the rafter. A secure connection of the purlin and rafter is accomplished by L shaped clips 60 fastened to the lower portion 46 of the rafter web and to the purlin web 58 by connecting bolts 62 which extend through the legs of the clip 58 and the as- 3 sociated rafter or purlin web and are secured thereto by nuts 64.

The sections 32 of the roof having movable panels are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. These figures generally show one of the previously described rafters 26 extending upward to the ridge pole 24, the top edge of a fixed section 30, two of the movable panels 33 in their closed position and the operative connection of the power and control means 34 to the movable panels. The rafters are fastened at their upper end to the ridge pole and the movable panels are positioned with their sides within the facing guide channels 48 of adjacent rafters. It may be seen that the movement of the panels in the channels 48 is in the directions of the arrows O and C in FIG. 6. Since this is along a dimension of the panels parallel to the roof line, no unsightly distortion of the roof profile occurs whether the panels are in their open or closed position. The various elements are so arranged, as will be seen shortly, that .the possibility of leakage of the structure when the panels are closed is minimized.

As illustrated at the right of FIG. 6 the ridge pole 24 is in the shape of an inverted Y with downwardly and outwardly extending arms 66 which are bolted by connecting bolts 68 to the top decks 38 of the rafters. To aid in waterproofing the interior of the structure eaves 70 are provided extending downward and outward from the ends of the ridge pole arms 66 and overlapping the upper edge of the movable panels 32 in their closed position. The eaves 70 are at the same angle as the arms .66 and are 'of a sufficient width so that precipitation will flow from the ridge pole to the top surface of the movable panels without entering the structure when the roof is closed. They may be of a lighter material or thinner than the ridge pole arms 66 since their function is to aid drainage rather than provide structural strength.

As seen at the left of FIG. 6, the upper edge of a fixed panel is stabilized by connection to the rafters through a header rail 72 which also cooperates with portions of the associated movable panel to stop the upward movement of the panel and to provide a watertight closure between the fixed and movable panels. The header rail is in the for of an E with a web 74, a bottom leg 76, a top leg 78 and a central leg 80. Attachment of the header rail 72 to the adjacent rafters is accomplished by means of L shaped clips 86 attached to the web 74 of the header rail and the lower web portion 46 of the rafter by connecting bolts 88 with nuts 90. \The top leg 78 of the header rail has a short re-entrant flange 92 extending downwardly as its end which acts as a stop for the associated movable panel as will be described below. The

central leg of the header rail is disposed under the lower surface of the fixed panel 31. The web 74 of the header rail and top edge of the fixed panel 31 abut one another. A suitable sealing material 94 fills the remaining space defined by the central leg 80, web 74, top leg 78 and reentrant flange '82 of the header rail, and the top of the fixed panel and secures the covering to the header rail.

The movable panels each comprise a movable panel covering 95 and a rectangular frame which includes a top or front rail 96, two side rails 98 and a bottom or rear rail 100. The side rails, which are best .seen in cross section in FIG. 5 are positioned in the facing guide channels 48 of the rafters. As illustrated, each side rail has the shape of an E with a web 102, top leg 104, central leg 106 and bottom leg 108. The panel covering is positioned between the top leg and central leg abutting the web. The illustrated central leg has a slanting upturned foot 110 and the panel covering 95 is corrugated fiber glass with its edge in the center por tion of an upwardly opening corrugation. Hence, as in the case of the panel support arm 43 and flange 54 of the rafter, the central leg 106 and foot 110 of the side rail match the shape of and support the associated panel covering. The central leg 106 and to leg 104 are so 4 spaced from one another that the top surface of the downwardly facing corrugation closest to the edge of the panel covering has a tight fit with the top leg 104.

Projecting downwardly from the bottom leg 108 of the side rail is a bracket 112 to which is attached weather stripping 114. On the opposite side of the weather stripping from the rafter and just within the upwardly extending flange wall 50 of the guide channels are positioned shoes 116 which slidably engage the channels. The shoes and flange cooperate to secure the panels against displace-. ment from the channels. As illustrated, the shoes 116 are in the form of smooth surfaced nylon buttons screwed into the bottom leg at suitable intervals but continuous longitudinally extending runners could be used.

The side rails 98 of each movable panel are joined at their upper ends to the top rails 96 which forms the front edge of the panel'and which is best seen in FIG. 6. As illustrated, each top rail is in the form of an E with a web 117, a top leg 118, central leg 120 and bottom leg 122. The central leg and bottom leg are so spaced from one another as to fit snugly between the central leg 106 and bottom leg 108 of a side rail 98. Interconnection of the side rails 98 and top rail 96 is accomplished by connecting screws 123 inserted through the side rails and eyes 124 at each end of the top rail abutting the side rails. The space between the central leg 120 and top leg 118 of the top rail receives the upper edge of the panel covering 31 as well as a closure strip 127 of a suitable sealing material. As illustrated, the top leg 118 of the top rail 96 is at the same height as the top deck 38 of the rafters so as to make the closest possible contact with the eaves 70 of the ridge pole 24 and facilitate secure closure of the roof to moisture. Hence, the top leg 118 of the top rail does not extend the full width of the panel but is cut away at each end to accommodate the top deck 38 of the adjacent rafters.

The fourth side of the rectangular framework of each movable panel is formed by the bottom rail 100 which is generally C shaped with a web 128, a top leg 129 and bottom leg 130 so spaced as to have a tight fit between the central leg 106 and bottom leg 108 of the associated side rails. Interconnection of the side rails 98 and bottom rail is accomplished by connecting screws 131 inserted through the side rails and eyes 132 at each end of the bottom rail abutting the side rails. The bottom leg also includes a downwardly extending portion or flange 133 which is so positioned as to abut the stop flange 92 of the associated header rail 72 when the movable panel is in its closed position. The panel covering 95 is attached to the top leg 129 of the bottom rail, as is a suitable bottom rail closure strip 134. The movable panel covering '95 does not, however, terminate at this point but extends downwardly and overlaps the fixed panel a sufiicient distance even when the movable panel is in its closed position to insure drainage from the movable panel covering 95 to the fixed panel 31.

As previously mentioned the movable panels 33 are operatively connected to a power and control means 34 for opening and closing them to the extent desired and maintaining them in any desired position. The illustrated power and control means 34 includes two electric motors 136 which are reversible in direction of rotation. The motors are electrically connected to a control box or boxes 138 which may, for convenience, be mounted on the side walls (FIG. 2). Each of the motors is associated with the sliding panels on a respective side of the ridge pole 24 and is connected to a drive shaft 140. The drive shaft 140 is journaled in horizontally aligned bearings 142 mounted below and perpendicular to the rafters 26. The drive shaft is connected by connecting means 139 to the movable panels in such a manner as to translate its rotary motion to longitudinal motion of the panels and also so that if movement of the shaft is prevented, as by shutting off and braking the motor,

motion of the panels is also prevented so as to maintain the panels in any desired position.

The illustrated drive shaft has rigidly mounted thereon a plurality of drive wheels 143 with sprockets 144 adjacent to and on each side of each rafter which each engage and drive a chain belt 145. Each chain, as illustrated, is attached at one end to the upper side of the web 128 of a bottom rail 100 and at the other end to the upper side of the web 117 of a top rail 96, although other longitudinally spaced points of attachment to the panel could be used. Further, two chains are provided for each movable panel, one on each side thereof so as to facilitate smooth longitudinal movement. Each chain also engages two idler wheels 146 with sprockets 148 which are positioned above and on each side of the drive sprocket. The idler sprockets, as illustrated, are mounted on idler shafts 150 journaled in bearing brackets 152 attached to the rafter. It may be seen that the chain is thereby constrained in a U-shaped path by the idler sprockets to engage the drive sprocket. Since the side rails of the movable panels are constrained to move longitudinally in the guide channels 48 clockwise motion of the drive wheels 144 (as seen in FIG. 6) will pull the top rail 96 of the movable panel 31 downward and outward in the direction of the arrow 0. Suflicient slack is simultaneously provided between the drive wheel and the bottom rail to permit the bottom rail to move a like amount. Similarly an opposite movement of the drive wheel caused by reversal of the motor will pull the movable panel upward in the direction of the arrow C until the stop flange 92 of the header rail engages the downwardly projecting flange of the bottom rail and the panel is in its closed position. The time during which the motor is in operation and the speed of rotation of the drive shaft determine the extent of movement of the movable panels. The secure engagement of the chain and drive wheel sprockets prevents the panel from sliding downward when the motor is turned off.

Thus, a simple structure has been provided which permits the opening and closing of a roof structure to any desired extent and its maintenance in any selected configuration and also provides for a structure secure against the elements when closed. Furthermore, the general profile of the roof is not altered by its opening or closing and standardized simple structural forms which are easily made and assembled are used.

Various changes and modifications could be made in the above described roof structure without departing from the invention. For example, a single control could be provided so that the movable panels on each side of the ridge pole would be moved automatically by equal amounts and in directions opposite to one another. A plurality of separately operated and controlled drive shafts could be provided so that any desired selection of panels could be opened or closed. Further, fixed panel coverings could be selectively positioned between adjacent movable panels if it were not desired to have as great an open area as provided by the specifically illustrated structure in which fully half the roof may be open. Additionally, the connection of the drive shaft to the movable panel could be by other forms of drivers and followers. For example, another type flexible band such as a friction belt and a pulley could be substituted for the illustrated chain and sprocket or a rack and pinion might be used. In the former case, however, the weight of the movable panel, the roof angle and the coeflicient of friction of the belt and pulley would be required to be suitably related so that the panel weight would not cause the belt to slip. All of such changes would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A roof structure including a plurality of parallel elongated frame members with longitudinally extending guide channels, each formed by a longitudinally extending recess in a frame member and an upwardly protruding and longitudinally extending flange adjacent the lower outer edge of said recess, a roof panel movably positioned with opposite side edges within said recesses of adjacent frame members so as to be movable longitudinally thereof to open and close said roof structure, a reversible motor mounted in a fixed position relative to said framework members with a drive shaft, a wheel mounted on said drive shaft, a flexible band coupled to said wheel so as to move only when driven by said wheel and aflixed at each end thereof to points on said panel spaced longitudinally thereof, so that said panel is longitudinally drivable in opposite directions longitudinally of said frame members by reversal of said motor and so that said panel is held in one position by said band when said motor is not in operation, and means for controlling the amount and direction of rotation of said drive shaft so as to control both the position of said panel and the opening and closing of said roof.

2. A roof structure including a plurality of parallel elongated frame members with longitudinally extending guide channels, each formed by a longitudinally extending recess in a frame member and an upwardly protruding and longitudinally extending flange adjacent the lower outer edge of said recess, a sliding roof panel movably positioned with opposite side edges within said recesses of adjacent frame members so as to be movable longitudinally thereof to open and close said roof structure, said sliding panel including shoes rigidly fastened to said panel adjacent the side edges thereof and protruding downwardly therefrom for slidably engaging said frame members within said recesses and engaging said upwardly protruding flanges to prevent displacement of said side edges of said panel from said channels, a reversible motor mounted in a fixed position relative to said framework members with a drive shaft, a wheel mounted on said drive shaft, a flexible band coupled to said wheel so as to move only when driven by said wheel and aflixed at each end thereof to points on said panel spaced longitudinally thereof, so that said panel is longitudinally drivable in opposite directions longitudinally of said frame members by reversal of said motor and so that said panel is held in one position by said band when said motor is not in operation, and means for controlling the amount and direction of rotation of said drive shaft so as to control both the position of said sliding panel and the opening and closing of said roof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,006,374 10/1911 Erb 52-66 2,094,801 10/ 1937 Mass 52-64 3,292,971 12/ 1966 Zucker 5264 3,277,619 1 0/ 1966 Miller 5 272 FOREIGN PATENTS 864,162 1941 France 52-64 504,266 1954 Italy 52-64 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 Dated Mazgb 2 12:

Inv n fim F. Schultz and Carl Radtke It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 20, delete "32"; column 2, line 23, delete "32"; .4 column 2, line 55, "30" should be "31-"; column- 2, line 55, "52" should be --43--; column 2, line 66, "52" should be --43--.

Column 3, line 28, "32" should be --33; column 3, line 42, "for" should be --from--; column 3, line 55, "78" should be --79--; column 3, line 56, "82" should be -92--; column 3, line 72, "54" should be --52--.

Column, 4, line 16, "rails" should be --rail--; column 4, line 28, "31" should be --95-- Column 5, line 22, "144" should be "143"; column 5, line 23, "31" should be --33.

Signed and sealed this 21 at day of December 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

Acting Commissioner of Pa Attestlng Officer 

